Article attaching machine



Jan. 17, 1950 M. MOCANN ARTICLE ATTACHING MACHINE INVENTOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 12, 1946 WITNESS ATTQQNEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 12, 1946 Mia/zdel 2% Game- WITNESS ATIIWRNEY IN V EN TOR.

6 Sheets-Sheet 3 M. M CANN ARTICLE ATTACHING MACHINE Filed Dec.

Jan, 17, 950

ATTORJVEY y Mi'chael McCa nn WITNESS JX Jfczw Jan. M, 1950 M. MOCANN ARTICLE ATTACHING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 12, 1946 INVENTOR. [Vic/2462 [V0 Came WITNESS Jaszc'zaf ATTORNEY Jan. 17, 1950 M. M CA'NN 2,495,069

ARTICLE ATTACHING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 12, 1946 t I INVENTOR Mzblzael [V0 Cam re WITNESS Jam 17,1950 I M. MCCANN 2,495,059

ARTICLE ATTACHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 12, 1946 e Sheets-Sheet 6 m mm gaggmm & W2

ATTORNE'Y mamas Patented Jan. 17 1950 were 2,495,069 ARTICLE ATTACHING MACHINE Michael McCann, Union, N. J., assignor to The Singer Manufacturing Company, Elizabeth, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 12, 1946, Serial No. 715,685

24 Claims.

, i This invention relates to article attaching machines and it has as an object to provide an improved machine of this nature which is capable of operating at a relatively high speed, which is light running, easy to operate, quiet in operation, and which is adapted, with a minimum amount of adjustment, to perform a plurality of diverse article attaching operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide,

in a machine of this type, conveniently adjustable means for adapting the machine to attach various sizes of articles such, for example, as large, medium or small, two or four hole fiat buttons.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a button sewing machine, improved means for reciprocating the thread-carrying needle and for Vibrating it laterally between successive reciprocations, thereby to cause the needle to enter first one and then the other of a pair of holes in a button, and to combine therewith a shiftable rotary loop-taker adapted to take thread loops from the needle, and a shiftable oscillatory needle-guide and loop-positioner designed respectively to guide the needle and to engage and position one needle-thread loop so that the loop-' taker will carry the succeeding thread loop therethrough.

Still another object of the invention is to utilize a portion of the needle-vibrating means for givingshifting movements to the loop-taker and needle-loop positioner so that the relative positions of the needle, loop-taker and loop-positioner are always the same in the different lateral positions of the needle.

' A further object of the invention is to provide a single adjustment for simultaneously varying the extent of vibration of the needle and the shift of the loop-taker, needle-guide and looppositioner from zero to maximum and to any intermediate point.

A still further object is to provide improved thread controlling means, operable during the formation of each stitch, which will facilitate withdrawal of the needle-loop positioner and assist in' the setting of the stitch. With the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, the invention comprises the devices, combinations, and arrangements of parts hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment of the invention, from which the several features of the invention and the advantages attained thereby will be readily understood by, those skilled in the art. I r In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a right side elevation of an article attaching machine embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a left side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1, with a cover plate thereof removed and certain parts shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the improved machine.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged front end view of the machine with the face plate thereof removed.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the needle-bar reciprocating mechanism, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow A in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a detail plan view, partly in section, of a portion of the needle-bar vibrating mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a detail plan view, partly in section, of the means for vibrating the looper shaft, looper, needle-guide and thread-positioner, later to be described.

Fig. 10 is a detail vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line l0l0 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view through the work-supporting arm, taken substantially on the lines I|-H of Figs. 2 and 4, the removable sheet metal cover, which closes the under side of the arm, being omitted.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged front end view of the W0rksupporting arm and parts carried thereby, together with the needle, indicating in full and dotted lines the corresponding lateral movement of the needle, looper, needle-guide and threadpositioner.

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view, looking toward the front end of the machine, illustrating in full lines, dotted lines and dot-dash lines, the critical positions of the needle-bar and needle and the action of the thread control mechanism in conjunction therewith.

Figs. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 are enlarged complemental end and plan views, alternately, of the lower stitch-forming mechanism, in conjunction with the needle and/or needle-thread, and corresponding, respectively, to the full line, dotted line and dot-dash line positions of the needle-bar in Fig. 13.

Fig. 20 is a face view of a two-hole flat button as attached by the present machine.

Fig. 21 is a face view of a four-hole flat button as attached by the present machine.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the invention is disclosed as embodied in an ar- 3 ticle attaching machine having a frame comprising a bed I, having a laterally extending worksupporting arm i a bracket-arm 2, consisting of a standard 3 secured to the bed I, and an overhanging arm 4 terminating in an open-faced bracket-arm head 5 normally closed by a removable face-plate 5 The arm l is of substantially inverted u-shape in cross section and is normally closed at the bottom by a removable sheet metal cover l having, at its outer end, a spring pressed hinged closure l Journaled lengthwise of the arm 4 is a main or drive shaft 6 carrying, at its rear end, loose and tight pulleys 1. and 8 respectively, adapted to be driven by a suitable Dower driven belt, not shown. starting and stopping of the machine is controlled by a conventional stop-motion mechanism designated generally as' S, including a belt shifter 9, adapted to shift the i belt from the loose pulley to the tight pulley, and eonyersely, and a brake mechanism, designated generally as l3, adapted to act upon the tight pulley 8 to reduce the speed of rotation of the ma ha t before it, is finally stop y the stop-motion mechanism. The stop-motion is provided w th a re dle-actuate startin i ver and s held in. runni vilositi n by a spr pressed latch j I. until the latch is automatically pped, aft r. a pr determined. n mber f it have been made, by a cam-lug [2 carried by a rotating cam wheel 13,, later to be described. For a further and. more complete understanding of the structural characteristics and operation of these stop-motionand brake mechanisms, reference may be had; to United States patents of Barron, No. 1,093,241, April 14, 1914, and Fifield, No. 1 9846 9, J1m 2 ,.1924.

This brake mechanismhowever, differs slightly from the brake mechanism disclosed in the Fifield patent, i. e., in the, means for varying the tension of the coil spring which swings the, brake lever and forces the brake shoe into contact with the side face of the pulley 8. In the presentmachine a coil spring s is. connected, at one, end, to the lower end of the brake leverand, at its,other end, to the lower-endof ania im 8. pivoted, at in. the m chine d A sc w 8 iournale in; the ma.- chine bed carries. a, nut S4 to which is secured a laterally projecting pin s? slidably connected to the arm s Thus, by rotatingwthe screw s the nut s is caused to. travel thereon, thereby swinging the arms and varying the tension of, the spring 8.

re r y, and s hown. he drawin s the e I s pivotallys ur d..a t t n rests p n, a base X which also pivotally supports; at 11,. a g d: m mber Y which, o ether, with the rear wall 3? of. thestandalid 3;, substantially house the pulleys I. and 8, th stop-motion mechanism S a d h r ke me han sm. B-

The bracketearm 2' is, divided. longitudinally along the line p in Fig. 3 and: the rear portion thereof consists of a removable coverplate or casting?- whichis secured'to the stationary part of the bracket-arm by a screw M (Fig. 3) journaled in the removable cover plate and removably threaded into-a fixed; stud I5 which, in turn, is fixedly threaded into the forward stationary portion of the bracket-arm. Withdrawal of the screw Hi from thefixed stud l 5 permits removal of the cover plate 2 as-shown inFig. 2. This twopart construction of thebracket-armfacilitates initial assembling of the mechanism within the arm. and later removal of the cover plate affords convenient access to theparts with-in thebracketarm for the purpose of inspection and repair. Journaled on the arm 4 by vertically disposed studs 2| 4 and M5, respectively, secured in the arm by set screws 2I6, are the upper and lower 5 ends it and l6 of a horizontally disposed U- shaped frame or gate 16. At its lower end, this frame is provided with a horizontally arranged forwardly projecting portion I which extends into the bracket-arm head and. has formed integrally l 0 therewith a vertically disposed sleeve l8 in which is reciprocably mounted a needle-bar I9 carrying, at its lower end, an eye-pointed thread-carrying needle 20., Fixed in the head 5, parallel to but at one side and slightly rearwardly of the needle- ;5, bar, isaguide-bar 21 on which is slidingly mounted the tubular portion 22 of a member 22 having a forked portion 22 adapted slidingly to receive a slide-block 23 formin a part of a collar 24 clamped upon the upper end portion of the 0 needle-bar, by a clamp screw 25. The collar 24 also carries an arm 26, which projects through a slot 5 in the face plate 5 and has therein a thread-eye 21". This arm 26 and eye 21 form part of a thread take-up mechanism later to be described. Vertical reciprocations are given to, the member 22', on the bar 2| by the endwise movements of a link 28 journaled, at. one end, upon a pin 29, carried; by the member 22 and embracing, at its.other end", acrank-pin 30 carried 30 by a crank-disk 3i secured upon the forward end of the rotary main shaft 6. The reciprocations of the member 22' are transmitted to. the needlebar and the needle carried thereby by theforked portion 22 slide block 23. and clamp collar 24. After each reciprocation of the needle-bar and needle, except the one after the {completion of the first group ofstitc'hes when attaching a fourhole button and the. penultimate reciprocation, the fram Isis oscillated. on its. pivots, thereby shifting the needle-bar laterally so that. the needle will alternately penetrate the work at spaced p ints. When attaching, flat buttons, this lateral movement causes the. needle to enter first one andthen. the other of a. pair of eyes in the button, thus attaching the button to the work by a group of short stitches. Inasmuch as the needle not. vibrated laterally after the penultimate stitch,.thelast twozstitches are, made in the same spot thereby forming aknot and effectively looking the stitchesagainst ravelling.

Oscillation of the frame L6 for laterally-shifting or vibrating the. needle=bar is effected from a cam groove 32 formed in one face of the cam wheel l3. hereinbeforementioned. Fulcrumed on a horizontally disposed stud33. secured in. the standard 2, (Figs. 2, and .3) is a. vertically disposed twoarmed lever 34, the upper arm. 3.4. of which carries a roller, stud 35. which tracks the cam, groove 32. The lower arm 34 of the lever 34, is of segmental shape. andhas formedtherein a segmental slot. 36, in whichjs. adjustably secured, by a wingnut 7;. a stud 3.8, This stud has aball end 39.

embraced by one end". of a link 40, The other end of'this link embraces the. ball end,4'| of a sim- 5 ilar stud 42 secured by a nut 43 inthe upturned portion 44' formed on one arm 45 of'a bell-crank lever 45' securedupon the lower end of'a vertically disposed shaft-4,5, journalediin bearing lugs 41 and 485in the arms I and 4, respectively. Beneath the 70 arm 4 the shaft 46 has secured thereto, as by a pin- 49-, the'hub- 50 ofan arm 54 to the outer endof which is-pivotallyconnected, by-a screw 52, one end of a two-part endwise adjustable link 53; the other end of which is pivotally connected by a -25 screw 54 to a lug 55 projecting from theframel6.

Thus rotation of the cam wheel 13 effects oscillation of the lever 34, bell crank lever 45, shaft 46 and frame l6, which latter, through its arm l1 and sleeve l6 causes lateral vibration of the needle-bar and the needle carried thereby. The amplitude of vibration of the needle-bar may be varied from zero to maximum by shifting the stud 38 from the upper end of the arcuate slot 36, in which position oscillation of the lever 34 transmits zero movement to the link 49 and bell-crank lever 45, to the lower end of the slot 36 where the lever 34 transmits maximum movement to those elements. Lengthening or shortening of the twopart link 53 serves to swing the frame 16 and adjust the position of the needle-bar and needle without varying their extent of vibration.

Heretofore, in machines of this general nature, cam wheels, similar to the cam wheel l3, and the major portion of the driving means therefor, have been fixed upon shafts which have been rotatably journaled in bearings formed in the machine frames. It has been found that in these prior constructions the weight of the cam wheel, its drive, and the load imposed thereon have caused undue wear in the shaft bearings thereby producing excessive looseness and misalignment in the parts. This condition could be corrected only with considerable difficulty and expense. The present invention provides an improved mount and drive for the cam wheel whereby the above mentioned difficulties are obviated.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 10, the forward wall of the standard 3 is formed with a boss 56 within which is rigidly and fixedly secured, as by a nut 51, a stud 59 on which is rotatably journaled a member 59 having, at one end, a worm-wheel 60 driven from a worm 6| secured upon the main shaft 6, and at its other end an annular disk 62. The cam wheel 13 is arranged in contact with the disk 62 and is secured thereto, for angular adjustment, by screws 63 passing through arcuate slots 64 in the cam wheel and threaded into the disk. Angular adjustment of the cam wheel is utilized in timing the parts and for compensating for wear therein. Axial movement of the member 59 and cam-wheel 13, in one direction, is prevented by the end of the hub 56 and in the other direction by a cap screw 65 threaded into one end of the stud 58. It will readily be perceived that the camwheel 13 may be conveniently removed from the disk 62 and that other cam wheels having other forms of cam grooves may be substituted therefor.

Cooperating with the needle 20 in the formation of stitches, is a loop-taker 66, preferably in the form of a wing-type rotary chain stitch looper, secured to and rotated by the forward portion 61 of a two-part looper shaft, the rear portion 68 of which is journaled in a bearing boss 68 provided by the bed I. The two portions of the looper shaft are coupled together by a universal joint, designated generally as U, which rotates the portion 61 from the portion 68 but permits the former to be swung horizontally relative to the latter. The portion 66 carries, at its rear end, a bevel gear 69 which meshes with and is driven by a similar gear 16 secured upon the lower end of a vertically disposed shaft 1i journaled in bearings in the standard 3 and driven from the main shaft 6 through the medium of a pair of bevel gears 12 and 13. The portion 61 of the looper shaft is journaled in bearings provided by blocks 14 and 15 carried by a sub-frame 16 slidingly mounted on the under side of the upper wall of the work-supeporting arm I, as shown most clearly in Figs. 2,

.75 99 .is secured .upon the forward end of a bar 599 1 1 and 12. Bars 11 secured to lugs 18 on the nu derside of the arm I, by screws 19, serve to support the blocks 14, 15.

' The b1ockl15 is formed with a split depending lug 8|] in which is clamped, by screw 8 I, a bearing bushing 82. Journaled in the bushing 82 is a rock-shaft 83, carrying, at its rear end, an arm 84 provided with a stud 85 which tracks a cam groove 86 formed in the face of a cam disk 31 fixed to a collar 88 secured upon the looper shaft 61 by a set screw 89. Upon the forward end of the rockshaft 83 is secured the hub of a curved and offset arm 90 which,.at its upper free end is formed with a finger 9| having a rounded inner surface adapted to engage and guide the needle to its proper position relative to the beak of the looper in the event that the needle should be inadvertently bent or deflected. Secured to the inner side of the arm 90, by screws 92, is the shank 93 of a thread-positioner 93. This member has a forked free end 93 adapted to engage, in its throat, both limbs of a loop of thread extending from the work to and around the looper, thereby to cause that loop to be shifted laterally and held in such position that the looper will, with certainty, carry the succeeding needle thread loop through the first mentioned loop, to effect concatenation of the loops in the form of single thread chain stitches.

As hereinbefore described, the needle-bar is shifted laterally after each reciprocation except the one after .the completion of the first group of stitches, .when attaching four-hole buttons, and after the penultimate stitch. During the first period in which the needle-bar is not shifted laterally, .the work piece and the button partially attached thereto, are shifted relative to the stitch-forming mechanism thereby causing the needle to descend the next time into the adjacent one of the second pair of holes in the button for the beginning of the formation of a sec--v 0nd group of attachingstitches. As before stated, the non-shift of the needle-bar after the penultimate stitch in the second group of attaching stitches causes the formation of a knotting or tying stitch.

' To insure proper relative positioning of and cooperation between the needle, looper, needleguard and thr'ead-positioner regardless of whether the needle descends through one or the other of a pair of holes in abutton, means is provided for shifting the looper, needle-guard and threadpositioner laterally with, and to the same extent as th needle. This means comprises an arm 94, forming a part of the bell-crank lever 45, having an upstanding tubular portion 95 which receives a stud 96 secured to and projecting downwardly from the sub-frame 16; Thus rocking of the lever 34 by the cam 53 effects simultaneously equal lateral vibrations of the needle-bar and the needle carried thereby,

and the sub-frame 16, looper-shaft 61, looper 66, needle-guide 9| and thread-positioner 93; Adjustment of the stud 39 in the segmental slot 36 in the lever 34 simultaneously varies, in equal amounts, the extent of vibration transmitted to the above mentionedparts.

I Secured upon the forward end of the worksupporting arm 1 above the looper 66 is a throatp1ate91 having a needle hole 98 through which 0 the needle reciprocates.

The work-piece to be operated on is clamped between a work-plate 99, which is likewise provided with a needle opening and is slidingly mounted on the throat-plate 91. The work-plate cannons.

slidable in. a guideway: formed in.- a: member IIII;

having a portion I04 guided in a; slot I05 in said.

arm, as shown in Fig. 4.

The article to be attached. to the.- work-piece showninthe drawings asa flatbntton, is. held in. a work-holder which comprises a pair. of spring; pressed. jaws 7', carried by arms k. pivotally mounted at Z to the underside of a clamp arm I06 secured, at its rear. end, in a. bracket. I01, pivotally mounted, as by a pin. I08, mtheblock I03. Secured uponand extending upwardly from. the arm I06 is a bracket I09 having: a. forked upper end adapted to receive a stud I;I-.0' carried by a collar III clamped. upon. the lower: end of a vertically disposed rod. I I2. slidingmounted in the bracket-arm head 5. The rod I12. and. the but-- ton clamp attached thereto are: normally urged downwardly by a coil spring. I. I3 surrounding the. rod and bearing at its upper end against awall of the head 5 and at its lower end upon a col' lar II4 clamped upon the rod. H2. The rod H2 and the button clamp may-be raised in .opposition to the spring 3- by actuation of. a. lever I'I5 fulcrumed intermediate its ends on. a. shoulder screw HIS-threaded into a: bracket. [.11 secured to. the underside of the arm 4'. The forwardend of the lever H5. is forked. and embracesv a stud I.I'8 carried by a depending arm I I9 integral with the collar H4. The rear end of the lever H5. is adapted to be connected by a chain I to a suitable treadle, not shown, whereby actuation of the treadle raises and lowers the button. clamp.

When attaching two-hole flat. buttons d, as shown in Fig. 20, the button-clamp and;the.button therein are held against movementiwhilethe needle reciprocates and-vibrateslaterally to place a ,Igroup f of attaching stitches. through the two holes 7t and h in the button; it being understood that the looper 66, needle-guide 9| and thread-positioner 93* vibrat laterally with the needle and that the needle makes the last two stitches in the same hole tov eifect a. knotting or tying of the thread;

When attaching four-hole flat buttons e,. as shown in Fig. 21, the button-clamp and. the button therein are held stationary while the stitchforming mechanism. makes a group g of approximately one-half the entire number of attaching stitches, through the holes h? and. h in the button. The cam 32 is soformed that after this group of stitches has been made, the needle skips one lateral vibration and, with the needle elevated, the button-clamp and the button therein are moved lengthwise of the work-supporting arm I a distance sufiicient: to align the'holes 71. and k withv the path. of vibration: of th needle. On its next descent, the needle lays its thread over that portion between the two pairs of holes b 71 and 71. b as indicated at i; Thereafter the needle alternately reciprocates: through the holes 71, and 71 until the group g of stitches and the tying stitch hav been: completed.

Endwise movement of the button clampon the arm I a is efiected from a cam groove I2.I: formed in the rear face of the cam. wheel. I3.. Thecam groove I2! (Fig. 1) comprises two concentric portions I2! and I2.'I of difierent radii. and each extending approximately 175 degr.ees,. and two cross-over portions I21 and IZ'I. connecting the concentric portions. Tracking the cam. groove l2i is a roller stud I22. carriedby theflee, end of the parts connected thereto.

an-Iarm. I23 .securedupon one end of ahorizontallyf disposed stub shaft. I24 journ-aled in the standard. '3. At its opposite end, the shaft I24 has secured.

to it an arm I25 having therein a segmental slot [.Zfiiin which is adjustably secured, by a wing nut;

12.7, astud I28 carried by one end of a link I29, the other end of which is pivotally connected, at I30, to the block I03. Thus, as the roller stud I22 passes. from one concentric portion of the cam groove I2I to the other, the arm I25 is turneda predetermined extent about the axis of the shaft [24. The motion of this arm may be transmitted,

to the'block. I93v and. the .bar the link I29.

00 and arm I06 by The amount of movement transmitted by. the link I29 is dependent upon the set-1 ting of the stud IZ-B in the slot I26. When the stud is in. the upper end of the slot, and adjacent the pivotal point of the arm I25, zero motion is transmitted by the link I29 to the block I03 and- This adjustment is used when. attaching two-hole buttons. When the stud I28; is adjusted to the outer end of the. slot I26, maximum endWise movement is trans-- mitted to the work-plate and the button-clamp.

It will readily be appreciated that in a large size four-hole button, the holes of each pair, and. each pair of. holes, are spaced apart a substantially greater distance than in a small size fourhole button. To change the machine to sew larger buttons after it has been set for smaller buttons, the operator will adjust the stud 38 downwardl in the segmental slot 36 of the lever arm 34 This will increase the extent of lateral movement of the needle, looper. etc. as hereinbefore explained. If the button to be attached isv a four-hole button, the operator. will also adjust the stud I28 downwardly in the slot I26 of the arm I25 to cause the cam groove I2! to shift the work. plate and button clamp lengthwise of the arm I an amount equal to the spacing apart of'the two pairs of holes in the button.

Cooperating with the take-up 26, 21' in controlling the thread and setting the stitch, is an oscillatory thread-controller arm I3I secured upon the forward. end of a horizontally disposed rock-shaft I32journaled in the bracket-arm head 5. The arm I3I is located mainly within the head '5 but has, at its free end, an oifsct portion I33 which projects through a slot 5 in the faceplace 5 and is provided with a thread-eye I34. Upon the rear end of the rock-shaft I32 there is clamped, by a screw I35, the split hub portion I 36 of a lever I31, the forked free end of which embraces a triangular cam I38 carried by a collar I39 secured by a set screw i 40 upon the drive shaft 6; Thus, rotation of the shaft 6 eifects intermittent oscillation of the rock-shaft I32 and thereby intermittent oscillation of the threadcontroller arm i3] and thread-eye I 34 in timed relation with the movements of the take-up arm 26'.

As shown in Fig. 1, thread if for the needle is taken froma suitable source of supply, not shown, and passes through a conventional intermittent tension I4I actuated periodically from a cam I42 on the main shaft 6, thence through a constant tension I 43 and thread pull-off arm I44 operatively connected to the work-clamp lifting lever H 5 to pull ofi thread from the supply each time the clamp islifted, thereby to afford slack thread to facilitate the: making of the first stitch. of the next article attaching cycle. The thread then pas'sesthrough a thread-nipper I 45 adapted to be actuated by a rod I 46,. and bell-crank lever I41 froma cam block I48 secured upon the periphery I of the cam wheel 4 work, and the pull-off arm pronounced and also eye I34 therein from the down 9 I3. This thread-nipper is timed and actuated to clamp the thread at the completion of the stitch forming cycle so that when the work-clamp is raised, to permit removal of the slack thread from the supply, thread may not be drawn back from the needle. Next the thread passes through a thread-guide -I49 carried by the upper end of the face-plate thence through the eye I34 in the thread-controller arm I3I, eye

21 in the take-up arm 26, thread-guide I50 carried by the face-plate 5 and finally to the eye of the needle. 1

As hereinbefore explained, and as shown in full and dotted lines in Fig. 12, the relative positions of the needle, looper, needle-guide and thread- .positioner are the same whether the needle is descending through one or the other of a pair of holes in a button.

The means for controlling the thread during the reciprocation of the needle and for setting the stitch will now be described, with special reference to Figs. 13 to 18 inclusive.

Assuming that the machine is in operation and that the parts have been brought to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 13 and in Figs. 14 and 15, i. e. with the needle-bar and needle at their uppermost positions, it will be observed that the take-up 26 is up, the thread-controlling arms I3I is down and the looper is expanding the previously taken thread loop. During approximately the next 70 degrees of rotation of the main and looper shafts, the needlebar, needle and take-up descend together, to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 13, and

the looper, needle-guide and thread-positioner are moved to the position shown in Figs. 16 and 17, while the thread controller arm stands still. This relative movement between the take-up eye 21 and the eye I34 in the thread-controller arm produces slack in the needle thread, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 13, to facilitate the making of the next stitch. During this movement, the thread-loop positioner "93 turns about the axis of the rock-shaft 83 and the forked end 93 thereof engages the thread loop and carries it to the left to the position shown in Fig. 16, to insure that the looper will carry the succeeding thread loop through the preceding thread loop. This action of the thread-positioner is the same whether the thread loop depends from the work beneath the hole at the left side of the button, as shown in Figs. 14, 16 and 18 or from beneath the hole at the right side thereof. In fact its function in deflecting the thread-loop is more more essential when the loop depends from beneath the right hand hole, as, in that position, without the thread-positioner it would be impossible for the looper to take a thread-loop from the needle in the hole at the left side and pass it through a loop depending beneath the hole on the right side.

The next rotation of the main and looper shafts of approximately 110 degrees causes the needlebar, needle, take-up arm 26 and thread-eye 21-- W therein to descend from the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 13 to their down position indicated in dot-dash lines and causes the looper to be rotated from the position shown in Fig. 16

I44 is actuated to pull I guide 9| and thread-positioner 93 in full lines in Fig. 13 to their up indicated in dot-dash lines. This relative movement between the thread-eyes 21 and I34 produces additional slack in the needle thread so that there is sufficient thread available for the formation of the next thread loop Without undue tightness thereof.

During the next 180 degrees of rotation of the main and looper shafts, the looper takes the new thread-loop and passes it through the previously formed thread-loop, after which it sheds the latter and expands the new loop; the needle bar, needle and take-up 26, 21 are raised to their up position; the thread-controller arm I3I is turned clockwise to its down position; and the needle are returned to their retracted positions, all as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. The upward movement of the takeup 26, 21 and the simultaneous downward movement of the thread-eye I34 takes up the slack in the thread and sets the stitch.

From Fig. 19 it will be apparent that during oscillation of the thread-positioner 93 a portion of its fork 93 will intersect the path of reciprocation of the needle. Were it not for the slack which is produced in the needle thread by the upward movement of the thread-controller arm I3I, during the formation of each stitch, the thread extending from the looper to the work would be so tight that withdrawal of the forked end 93* of the thread-positioner and its consequent engagement with the thread and the deflection thereof would cause breaking of the thread. This is particularly true when thick buttons are attached to thick work, as for ex- 5 shown in the drawings, and described in this specification,

this machine is capable of attachin large, medium or small, two or four hole flat buttons.

It is also to be understood that by the substitution of other forms of article holding clamps 'by the proper substitution of beak work-holder for taking thread loops from the for the button clamp shown and/or the substitution, for the cam wheel I3, of other cam wheels having cam grooves different from the cam grooves 32 and I2I shown, various other forms and sizes of articles may be attached. Also, that work-holders and cams, the machine may be adapted for various forms of tacking operations.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what I claim herein is:

1. An article attaching machine having, in combination, a frame including a bed and a bracketarm; a work-holder carried by said bed; a needle-bar mounted for reciprocatory and vibratory movements in said bracket-arm; means for reciprocating said needle-bar; a thread-carrying needle carried by said needle-bar; a loop-taker mounted in said bed and having a loop-seizing movable in a plane transversely of said needle in the formation of stitches; and means to approximately the position shown in Fig. 18.

During this movement of the parts the threadcontroller arm is turned counterclockwise (Fig. 13) thereby moving the portion I33 and threadposition shown comprising a rotary cam and operative connections between the cam and the needle-bar and loop-taker, operating during each of a plurality of successive reciprocations ofthe needle-bar in the formation of a group of stitches for bodily shifting said needle-bar, needle and loop-taker bination, a frame including a'bed and a "bodily shifting said needle-bar,

synchronously relative to said frame and workbratory movements in said bracket-arm; means 'for reciprocating said needle-bar; a threadcarrying needle carried by said needle-bar; a rotary chain stitch looper mounted in said bed and having a loop-seizing beak rotatable in a of said work-holder for taktion of stitches; and means comprising a rotary cam and operative connections between the cam and the needle-bar and looper, operating during each of a plurality of successive reciprocations of the needle-bar in the formation of a group of stitches for bodily shifting said needle-bar, needle and looper synchronously relative to said frame and plane.

3. An article attaching machine having, in com bracketcarried by said bed ;'a needlework-holder in substantially said arm; a work-holder bar mounted for reciprocatory and vibratory movements in said bracket-arm; means for reciprocating said needle-bar; a thread-carrying needle carried by said needle-bar; a rotary chain stitch looper mounted in said bed and having a loop-seizing beak rotatable in a plane for taking 'thread loops from the needle in the formation of stitches; a movable thread-positioning finger I for deflecting loops of thread and means operating during each of a plurality of successive reciprocations of the needle-bar for needle, looper and thread-positioning finger relative to .said frame and work-holder in substantially said plane.

4. An article attaching machine having, in

combination, a frame including a bed and a bracket-arm; a work-holder carried by said bed;

a needle-bar mounted for reciprocatory and vibratory movements for ing needle carried by said needle-bar; a .rotary i chain stitch looper mounted in .in said bracket-arm; means reciprocating said needle-bar a thread-carrysaid bed and having a loop-seizing beak movable in aplane for taking thread loops from the needle in the "formation of stitches; a combined needle-guide and thread-positioning member having portions movable between said work-holder and looper for guiding the needle and for deflecting loops of thread held by said looper; and means operating during each of a plurality of successive reciprocations of the needle-bar for bodily shifting said needle-bar, needle, looper, needle-guide and thread-positioning member relative to said frame and work-holder in paths substantially parallel to said plane.

5. An article attaching machine having, .in

' combination, a frame including a bed and a bracket-arm; a work-holder carried by said bed;

a needle-bar mounted for reciprocatory and vibratory movements in said bracket-arm; means for reciprocating said ing needle carried by said needle-bar; a rotary needledoar; a thread-carryshaft journaled in said bed; a rotary chain stitch looper mounted on said shaft and having a loopseizing beak rotatable in a plane for taking .thread loops from the needle in the formation of stitches; a cam on said shaft; a rock-shaft journaled beneath said rotary shaft;

means actuated by said cam for oscillating said rock-shaft; a combined a work-holder carried by said bed;

held by said looper;

ing said needle-bar; carried by said needle-bar; a member mounted oscillatory needle-bar tially parallel to said needleguide and thread positioning member mounted on said rock-shaft and having portions movable between said work-holder and said looper for guiding said needle and deflecting loops of thread held by said looper; and means operating during each of a plurality of successive recipro- -cations of the needle-bar for bodily shifting said in said bed and having a loop-seizing beak movable in a plane for taking thread loops from the needle in the formation of stitches; a rotating cam; and means operated by said cam during each of a plurality of successive reciprocations of'the needle-bar'to swing said oscillatory frame and to shift said member thereby to bodily move said needle-bar, needle and beak relative to said frame and work holder in substantially said plane. I

7. An article attaching machine having, in combination, a stationary frame including a bed and a bracket-arm; a work-holder carried by said bed and extending lengthwise thereof; an frame journaled on said bracket-arm andhaving a tubular portion; a needle-bar reciprocab'ly'mounted in said tubular portion; means for reciprocating said needle-bar; a thread-carrying needle carried by said needlebar; a shaft mounted in said bed for rotary and vibratory movements; a loop-taker secured upon said shaft and having a loop-seizing beak movable in 'a plane transversely of said work-holder for itakingthread loops from the needle in the formation of stitches 'means 'for rotating said shaft;

and means operating during each of a plurality .of successive reciprocations of the needle-bar for oscillating said needle-bar frame and for vibrating :said shaft to effect bodily movement of said needle-bar, needle and loop-taker relative to said frame and work-holder parallel to said plane.

8. An article attaching machine having, in combination, a stationary frame including a bed and a bracket-arm; a work-holder carried by said bed; an oscillatory needle-bar frame journaled on said bracket-arm; a needle-bar reciprocably mounted in said needle-bar frame; means for reciprocating said needle-bar, a thread-car- *rying needle carried by said needle-bar; a loop- .taker shaft mounted in said bed for rotary and vibratory movements; a loop-taker secured upon said shaft and having a loop-seizing beak movable in a plane for taking thread loops from the needle in the formation of stitches; a cam on said shaft; means for rotating said shaft; a rockshaft journaled substantially parallel with said loop-taker shaft; means actuated by said cam for oscillating said rock-shaft; a needle-guide and a thread-positioning member mounted on said rock-shaft and each having a portion movable between said work-holder and said loop-taker for guiding said needle and for deflecting loops of thread held by said loop-taker, respectively; and means operating during each of aplurality of $110- cessive reciprocations of the'needle-bar for oscillating said needle-bar frame and for vibrating in paths substantially 13 14 said shaft to effect bodily movement of said plurality of successive reciprocations of said needle, loop-taker, needle-guide. and thread-posineedle-bar. tioning member, relative to said frame and work- 13. An article attaching machine as set forth holder in substantially said. plane. in claim 12 in which a single adjustable connec- 9. An article attaching machine having, in tion between the bell-crank lever and the cam combination, a rotating element having a pair serves to vary simultaneously and equally the exof cam portions; a work-holder; a reciprocatory tent of bodily shifting movement given to the and laterally movable thread-carrying needle; a needle and looper by the cam.

member complemental to said needle and having 14. An article attaching machine as set forth a loop-seizing beak movable in a plane for taking in claim 12 in which there is also provided a secthread loops from the needle in the formation of 0nd rotatable cam and operative connections from stitches; means actuated from one of said cam the cam to the workholder to shift the workportions during each of a plurality of successive holder relative to the plane of rotation of the reciprocations of the needle for bodily shifting looper beak after a predetermined number of resaid needle and member relative to said workciprocations of the needle. holder in substantially said plane; and means ac- 15. An article attaching machine as set forth tuated from the other of said cam portions for in claim 12 in which there is also provided a secshifting said work-holder transversely of said 0nd rotatable cam and operative connections plane. therefrom to the work-holder to shift the work- 10. An article attaching machine having, in'go holder relative to the plane of rotation of the combination, a rotating element havin a pair of looper beak after a predetermined number of recam portions; a work-holder; a reciprocatory and. ciprocations of the needle and in which said oplaterally movable thread-carrying needle; amemerative connections include adjustin mean for her complemental to said needle and having a vary ng the amount of shift of the Work-ho der loop-seizing beak movable in a plane for taking 2'5 from zero to maximum.

thread loops from the needle in the formation of 1 An article attaching machine comprising a stitches; a movable thread-positioning finger for frame including a bed and a bracket-arm; a Workdefleoting loops of thread held by said member; holder Carried by Said frame; a drive Shaft 1 means actuated from one of said cam portions naled lengthwise of said bracket-arm; a stud fixduring each of a plurality of successive reciprocaedly Secured in Said frame transversely 0f S tions of the needle for bodily shifting said needle, shaft; a member rotatably Journaled on Said stud member and thread-positioning finger in substan- PrV ided with a Cam groove; means tiany Said plane; and means actuated from the tatl ng said member from said shaft; a vertically other of said cam portions for shifting said workreclproca'ble and laterally movable needle'bari holder transversely f said plane 3 means actuated by said drive shaft for reciprocat- 11. An article attaching machine having, in mg said needle'bar; thread-carrying needle combination, a rotating element havin a pair of carried by said needle'bar; member comple' tal to said needle and having a loop-seizing cam portions, a work-holder, a reciprocatory and laterally movable thread-carrying needle; a membeak movable m plane for takmg thread loops ber complemental to said needle and having a ggg ggifi s ifi the g of sttcliles; g loop-seizing beak movable in a plane for taking of a 111mm 3; fg vurmg 5 15 thread loops from the needle in the formation of p y s e lproca Ions 0 e needle for bodily shifting said needle-bar, needle stitches, an oscillatory element carrying a and member relativ to ad tram d needle-guide and a thread-positioning finger for e S 1 e an wor holder in substantially said plane. guiding the needle and for deflecting loops of 1 q thread held by said member; means for oscillatartlcle attachmg machme compnsmg frame including a bed and a bracket-arm; a work- 594d element, meaPns actuated from P of holder carried by said frame; a drive shaft joursaid cam portions during each of a plurality of naled lengthwise of said bracket arm; a Stud successive reciprocations of the needle for bodily fixedly Secured in said frame transversely of Said shiftillg -F member and element in shaft; a member rotatably journaled on said stud stantlally said plane; and means actuated from and provided with a pair of cam grooves. means the other of said cam portions for shifting said f r rotating Said member from Said a worbholder firansversew of Planetically reciprocable and laterally movable needle- A artlffle atwchmg machme comprlsmg a bar; means actuated by said drive shaft for remam frame mclufhng bed bracket'arm; ciprocating said needle-bar; a thread-carrying a rotatable cam Journaled 594d bracket-arm; needle carried by said needle-bar; a member coma work-holder; an ory frame journaled O plemental to said needle and having a loop-seizing s id b ac e -a a needle-bar recip oc ly beak movable in a plane for taking thread loops mounted in Sa 0 6 17 f means to refrom the needle in the formation of stitches; ciprocate a needle-bar; thread-Carrying means actuated from one of said cam grooves dure e Baffled y Said needle-bar; a Sub-frame ing each of a plurality of successive reciprocations din ly m n in said a rotary looper of the needle for bodily shifting said needle-bar, shaf l urn le in i rame, a looper carneedle and member relative to said Work-holder fled y 594d 1 Shaft and aving a loop- 6 in substantially said plane; and means actuated ing beak rotatable in a plane for taking threadfrom the other of said cam-grooves for bodily loops from the needle in the formation of stitches; shifting said work-holder after a predetermined a vertically disposed shaft journaled in said main number of reciprocations of the needle.

frame; a bell-crank lever and a rock-arm fixed 18. An article attaching machine comprising a upon said vertically disposed shaft and connectframe including a bed and a bracket-arm; a ed respectively with said sub-frame and said 05- work-holder carried by said frame; a drive shaft cillatory frame; and means for actuating said journaled lengthwise of said bracket-arm; a stud bell-crank lever from said cam to give to said fixedly secured in said frame transversely of said needle-bar, needle and looper bodily shifting shaft; 2. member rotatably journaled on said movements substantially in said plane during a Stud; mea s or rotating a er r m Sa d cating said member; a

.15 .shaft; a cam wheelcontacting said member and having a plurality of slots and a cam groove; a

, clamp screw passing through .eachof said 'slots and threaded into said member to secure said wheel to said member and to permit of relative j angular adjustment therebetween; a vertically .reciprocable needle-bar; means actuated by said drive shaft for reciprocating said needle-bar; a thread-carrying needle carried by said needlebar; a member complemental to said needle for taking thread loops from the needle in the formation of stitches; and means actuated from said cam groove for effecting relative bodily movement between said needle and .said workholder transversely of the path of reciprocation of the needle. 5

19. An article attaching machine comprising a frame including a bed and a bracket-arm having a hollow head; a work-holder supported by said bed; a needle-bar mounted for reciprocatory tween alternate reciprocations of theneedle-bar; I a thread-carrying needle carried by said needlebar; and a loop-taker cooperating with said needle in the formation of stitches.

20. An article attaching machine comprising a frame including a bed and a bracket-arm hava work-holdersupported by ing .a hollow head said bed; a needle-bar mounted for reciprocatory and vibratory movements .in said head; a fixed guide-bar mounted in said head substantially parallel with said needle-bar a member slidingly.

mounted on said guide-bar; meansfor reciproslidable driving connection between said member and said needle-bar whereby the needle-bar is reciprocated by said member and permitted to have lateral movements relative thereto; means for vibrating said needle-bar between alternate reciprocations of the needle-bar; a thread-carrying needle carried by said needle-bar; a loop-taker cooperating with said needle in said head and needle-bar after a predetermined number of reciprocations of the latter.

21. An article attaching machine comprising a frame including a bed and a bracket-arm having a head; a work-holder supported by said bed; a needle-bar mounted for reciprocation in said head; a thread-carrying needle carried by said needle-bar; means for reciprocating said needlebar; a loop-taker cooperating with said needle in the formation of stitches; a take-up device operated during each up-stroke of the needle-bar for tightening the stitch formed by the needle and loop-taker; and a thread-controller opera of the needlebar.,

tive during each down stroke for giving up thread to the needle and effective during each up-stroke of the needle-bar to cooperate with the take-up in tightening the stitch. 22. An article attaching machine comprising a frame including a bed and a ing a head; a rotating shaft journaled in said operative connection besaidneedle-bar whereby the formation of stitches; and. means for shifting said work-holder relative 'to' bracket-arm havand vibratory movements in' said head; a fixed v a frame including a bed positioning member bed; a needle-bar mounted for reciprocation in said head; a thread-carrying needle carried by said needle-bar; means actuated by said shaft for reciprocating said needle-bar; a loop-taker cooperating with said needle in the formation of stitches; a take-up device carried by said needl vbar and operated during each up-stroke thereof for tightening the stitch formed by the needle and loop-taker; and a thread-controller actuated by said shaft and operative during each downstroke of the needle-bar for giving up thread to the needle and effective during each up-stroke of the needle-bar to cooperate with the take-up in tightening the stitch.

- 23. An article attaching machine comprising a frame including a bed and a bracket-arm having a head; a rotating shaft journaled in said bracket-arm; a cam on said shaft; a rock-shaft journaled in said head; means for actuating said rock-shaft from said cam; a work-holder supported'by said bed; a needle-bar mounted for reciprocation in said head; a thread-carrying needle carried by said needle-bar; means actuated from said rotating shaft for reciprocating said needle bar; a loop-taker cooperating with .said needle in the formation of stitches; a takeup device carried by said needle-bar and operated during each up-stroke of the needle-bar for tightening the stitch formed by the needle and loop-taker; and-an arm secured upon said rockshaft and engaging the needle-thread, said arm acting during each down-stroke of the needlebar to give up thread to the needle and during each up-stroke of the needle-bar to cooperate with the take-up in tightening the stitch.

24. An article attaching machine comprising and a bracket-arm hav ing a head; a work-ho1der supported by said bed; a needle-bar mounted for reciprocation in said head; a thread-carrying needle carried by :said needle-bar; means for reciprocating said needle-bar; a loop-taker cooperating with said 'needle in the formation of stitches; a threadfor deflecting loops of thread held by said loop-taker, said thread-positioning member having a finger movable across the path of reciprocation of said needle and in its re- V 1a thread-controller tractive movement thread; a take-up into contact with the needle device operated during each up-stroke of the needle-bar for tightening the stitch formed by the needle and loop-taker; and

operative during each downstroke of the needle-bar for-giving up thread to facilitate retraction of said finger and effective during each up-stroke of the needle-bar to cooperate with the take-up in tightening the stitch. MICHAEL MCCANN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

